Jai Tamati

Jai Tamati
Born (2005-05-31) 31 May 2005
Christchurch, New Zealand
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight76 kg (168 lb; 12 st 0 lb)
SchoolRotorua Boys' High School
Rugby union career
PositionHalfback
Current teamHurricanes, Manawatu
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2025–Manawatu 10 (5)
2026–Hurricanes
Correct as of 19 November 2025
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2025New Zealand U20 6 (0)
Correct as of 19 November 2025

Jai Tamati (born 31 May 2005) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Hurricanes and Manawatu. His preferred position is halfback.[1]

Early career

Tamati was born in Christchurch and attended Rotorua Boys' High School where he played rugby for the first XV.[2] His performances for the school earned him selection for the New Zealand Schools side in 2022,[3] and New Zealand Schools Sevens side 2023.[4] After leaving school, he joined up with the Hurricanes academy, representing their U20 side in 2024.[5] He earned selection for the New Zealand U20 side in 2025.[6]

Professional career

Tamati has represented Manawatu in the National Provincial Championship since 2025, being named in the squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC.[7] He was named in the Hurricanes wider training group for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.[8]

References

  1. ^"Jai Tamati". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  2. ^"Full circle moment for Turbos halfback at Rugby Park". The Press. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  3. ^"New Zealand Under 18 School Boy teams announced". Auckland Rugby. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  4. ^"New Zealand under 18 sevens teams named for global youth sevens". Rugby Heartland. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  5. ^"Six Manawatu players in Hurricanes under 20s". Manawatu Rugby. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  6. ^"World Rugby U20 Championship: Jai Tamati Interview - "It's all about being competitive, which is who we are"". Next Gen XV. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  7. ^@manawaturugby; (15 July 2025). "OUR HIGGINS CONCRETE MANAWATŪ TURBOS". Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  8. ^"Hurricanes unveil 12-man wider training group for 2026". Hurricanes (Press release). 7 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.